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It's a very busy time for video game consoles, with most homes
having Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Wii systems, and with
Nintendo's next-generation Wii U expected later this year. Now
comes a whole new take on consoles, Ouya.

What is the Ouya?

Ouya is a very small console (about the size of a Rubik's Cube)
with a controller similar to — though a bit skinnier than — that
of an Xbox 360.

The Ouya will primarily offer Android-based games, taking the
same titles you might play on a smartphone and putting them on
the TV screen. Games coming to the system include "ShadowGun,"
"Canabalt" and the ever-popular world-builder " Minecraft,"
among hundreds of others.

In addition, Ouya will require any providers on the service to
offer games on a trial basis. Several game publishers have
already agreed to this deal: a timed demo for each game will be
available, with an option to purchase once players complete it.

Who's working with Ouya?

Along with a number of Android-based developers, the company also
has a couple of surprise partners. Most recently, it signed
OnLive, a cloud service that offers online versions of hundreds
of popular games per month, including hits like "Batman: Arkham
City" and "Saints Row: The Third," along with upcoming games such
as "Darksiders II" and "Bulletstorm." (You'll need a separate
subscription for OnLive, starting at $10 per month.)

In addition, Robert Bowling, formerly with the "Call of Duty"
production team, announced that his company, Robotoki, will
release its debut title, "Human Element," first on Ouya. Several
other publishers are likely to follow, though no other partners
have been revealed yet.

How can I get an Ouya?

The system won't be available at retail until early to mid-2013.
However, the
Ouya Kickstarter funding program is still going.
Contributing $99 or more guarantees you a system before launch
(though a specific date hasn't been given), along with other
perks, such as having your "username" etched onto the controller
and game unit.

TechNewsDaily should have a hands-on experience with the system
in the coming months, as the Ouya is expected to appear at next
year's Consumer Electronic Show, if not sooner.